Matthew 13:1-9; 18-23
The key words in these two passages are seed, soil, word/message of the kingdom and fruit. This happened on the same day as Jesus' talk about his family being those who do the will of the Father and seems to be a continuation of his thought: his family is made up of those who do the Father's will and good seed which bears fruit are those that hear the message of the kingdom and understand/act on it (hearing the Father's will and doing it). I think this is the first classic parable in Matthew. He does use other metaphors in previous chapters (the harvest and trees and fruit) but this is the first story that I can find.
Jesus interprets his own parable in verses 18-23 so the meaning isn't that difficult: What response will the message of the kingdom receive? Some will not understand it, some will receive it but fall away because of persecution, some will receive it but will be distracted by life and some will receive it and act on it, producing fruit.
I think there are two applications: 1) make sure that my heart is prepared to receive the message of the kingdom and to act on it and 2) don't be discouraged by the responses I receive as I spread the message of the kingdom.
Showing posts with label fruit. Show all posts
Showing posts with label fruit. Show all posts
Monday, April 6, 2009
Wednesday, April 1, 2009
my speech betrays my heart
Matthew 12:33-37
This continues Jesus' rant against the Pharisees. He is not content just to defend himself against their illogical argument but now goes on the offensive. The key words are: good, bad, evil and the concept of words or speech. Jesus uses a word picture of trees: good fruit indicates that a tree is good, bad fruit means that a tree is bad. He uses this to illustrate the truth that the results of a person's life indicates a person's character. Jesus specifically points to the words we use: if a person's words are bitter, evil and empty it indicates that a person's character is bitter and evil. The main point Jesus makes is: you can tell a person's character by the words that person speaks.
This reminds me of what Jesus teaches in his sermon on the mountain: the outward act of sin is a result of the sinful heart. Therefore, the outward sin of adultery is a result of the sin of lust, the outward sin of murder is the result of the sin of hatred, etc. The problem is that as much as I knew I was guilty of lust and even hatred at times, I was never really confronted by my sinfulness because I have never technically committed adultery or murder. I could pretend, because I had never committed the outward actions, that my heart was good. However, in this passage, my speech betrays my sinful heart. I don't have to think very hard to remember things I wish I had never said. I know that when the record of my speech is read out in the court of my King that I will only be able to hang my head in shame. My speech indicates that I still have a long way to go in the process of sanctification. My speech makes it clear that I am still in the beginning stages of being made restored. My prayer is that the Spirit would continue to restore my character and that my speech would become more and more gracious, pleasant and sweet.
This continues Jesus' rant against the Pharisees. He is not content just to defend himself against their illogical argument but now goes on the offensive. The key words are: good, bad, evil and the concept of words or speech. Jesus uses a word picture of trees: good fruit indicates that a tree is good, bad fruit means that a tree is bad. He uses this to illustrate the truth that the results of a person's life indicates a person's character. Jesus specifically points to the words we use: if a person's words are bitter, evil and empty it indicates that a person's character is bitter and evil. The main point Jesus makes is: you can tell a person's character by the words that person speaks.
This reminds me of what Jesus teaches in his sermon on the mountain: the outward act of sin is a result of the sinful heart. Therefore, the outward sin of adultery is a result of the sin of lust, the outward sin of murder is the result of the sin of hatred, etc. The problem is that as much as I knew I was guilty of lust and even hatred at times, I was never really confronted by my sinfulness because I have never technically committed adultery or murder. I could pretend, because I had never committed the outward actions, that my heart was good. However, in this passage, my speech betrays my sinful heart. I don't have to think very hard to remember things I wish I had never said. I know that when the record of my speech is read out in the court of my King that I will only be able to hang my head in shame. My speech indicates that I still have a long way to go in the process of sanctification. My speech makes it clear that I am still in the beginning stages of being made restored. My prayer is that the Spirit would continue to restore my character and that my speech would become more and more gracious, pleasant and sweet.
Monday, December 22, 2008
If you were a tree...?
Matthew 7:15-20
Jesus turns his attention to false prophets. He is concerned that the people might be led astray by teachers with bad motives. Jesus uses two word pictures: a wolf that camouflages itself in wool to trick the sheep and that of a fruit producing tree. He contrasts good fruit and good trees to bad fruit and bad trees. The key words in this section are fruit, tree, good and bad.
The main point that Jesus is making is that false teachers can be recognized by their fruit. In the context of the rest of his sermon, Jesus is likely saying that false teachers will point you to the wrong gate which leads destruction and make you feel good about your choice, so as to make sure that you don't reconsider your choice, right up to the point of destruction. To be able to tell the difference between a false teacher and a teacher of truth, Jesus tells his audience to look at the fruit. His argument is that, just as the tree is judged by the quality of its fruit, the character of the teacher can be judged based on the teacher's life and the results of the teaching in other's lives.
The first question that comes to mind is: how does this fit with Jesus' previous teaching about judging others (7:1-5)? It is clear that Jesus is telling us to be very discerning and to judge a person's character to determine if he is a false teacher or a teacher of truth. I think that Jesus' main point about judging is that we shouldn't be hypocritical in our judgment. We shouldn't expect others to live up to a standard that we ourselves are not willing to live up to. Jesus is clear in this passage: we must learn to be good judges of character especially when it comes to teachers.
The second question is: what kind of "fruit" am I looking for in a person's life? I think there are primarily two. The first is the teacher's own character. What kind of father is he? What kind of wife is she? How does he treat his employees? How does she treat her "constituents"? How does he react to criticism and praise? Etc. The other fruit I think we should look at is the result of the teacher's teaching in the lives of her "disciples". I think I need to be careful with this one since even the teachings of Jesus have been perverted and misunderstood by people who would call themselves his disciples but if there is a consistent pattern that could reasonable be attributed to the teacher then I must be aware of it.
Thankfully I have the help of the Holy Spirit to help me to discern what is good and right. His guidance is invaluable. Thank you, Father, for sending your Spirit!
Jesus turns his attention to false prophets. He is concerned that the people might be led astray by teachers with bad motives. Jesus uses two word pictures: a wolf that camouflages itself in wool to trick the sheep and that of a fruit producing tree. He contrasts good fruit and good trees to bad fruit and bad trees. The key words in this section are fruit, tree, good and bad.
The main point that Jesus is making is that false teachers can be recognized by their fruit. In the context of the rest of his sermon, Jesus is likely saying that false teachers will point you to the wrong gate which leads destruction and make you feel good about your choice, so as to make sure that you don't reconsider your choice, right up to the point of destruction. To be able to tell the difference between a false teacher and a teacher of truth, Jesus tells his audience to look at the fruit. His argument is that, just as the tree is judged by the quality of its fruit, the character of the teacher can be judged based on the teacher's life and the results of the teaching in other's lives.
The first question that comes to mind is: how does this fit with Jesus' previous teaching about judging others (7:1-5)? It is clear that Jesus is telling us to be very discerning and to judge a person's character to determine if he is a false teacher or a teacher of truth. I think that Jesus' main point about judging is that we shouldn't be hypocritical in our judgment. We shouldn't expect others to live up to a standard that we ourselves are not willing to live up to. Jesus is clear in this passage: we must learn to be good judges of character especially when it comes to teachers.
The second question is: what kind of "fruit" am I looking for in a person's life? I think there are primarily two. The first is the teacher's own character. What kind of father is he? What kind of wife is she? How does he treat his employees? How does she treat her "constituents"? How does he react to criticism and praise? Etc. The other fruit I think we should look at is the result of the teacher's teaching in the lives of her "disciples". I think I need to be careful with this one since even the teachings of Jesus have been perverted and misunderstood by people who would call themselves his disciples but if there is a consistent pattern that could reasonable be attributed to the teacher then I must be aware of it.
Thankfully I have the help of the Holy Spirit to help me to discern what is good and right. His guidance is invaluable. Thank you, Father, for sending your Spirit!
Monday, May 5, 2008
the source of faith
Colossians 1:3-8
Paul is encouraged by the reports he has heard regarding the faith and love of the church at Colossae. Faith and love would be the key words of this passage as well as hope and gospel. The theme of this passage is that the good news message of Jesus Christ is the source of faith and love.
This burst of praise is typical of Paul's letters - he almost always found some way to encourage the people he was writing to, even when he had to address serioulsy wrong theology or theopraxy. He also usually finds a way to remind the church that he is praying for them, which he also does in this letter. In this case, Paul is thankful for the faith this church has in Christ and the love they have for the people of Christ. Paul says that the source of this faith and love is the hope that they have discovered from hearing the gospel from Epaphrus (the one who preached to them and who brought the report back to Paul).
The part of this passage that challenges me is the part about the gospel bearing fruit. I desperately want the gospel to be fruitful in my life and I think that it is. However, my heart yearns to see the Church of Christ in this area of the world be fruitful. I don't mean that no one is coming to Christ and maturing in faith in Southern Alberta but there are so many who have not yet heard the good news message of Jesus and who aren't likely to attend a worship service so are dependent on someone showing them Christ's love and telling them about the cross. I am not pointing fingers because I know that I am in the same boat as many of the church goers in this area. I think the problem is that, unlike the Colossians, we (I) have never truly understood God's grace. I think that because so many of us grew up in the culture of Christianity that we have become numb to our sinfulness and the great work of Christ to forgive our sin and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. I think we have taken for granted the fact that we are God's children even though we truly were his enemies. My fear is that the very fact that we take this for granted may be the evidence that we are not truly made new and made alive in Christ. If we are dead to this great grace, how can we be alive to anything?
Paul is encouraged by the reports he has heard regarding the faith and love of the church at Colossae. Faith and love would be the key words of this passage as well as hope and gospel. The theme of this passage is that the good news message of Jesus Christ is the source of faith and love.
This burst of praise is typical of Paul's letters - he almost always found some way to encourage the people he was writing to, even when he had to address serioulsy wrong theology or theopraxy. He also usually finds a way to remind the church that he is praying for them, which he also does in this letter. In this case, Paul is thankful for the faith this church has in Christ and the love they have for the people of Christ. Paul says that the source of this faith and love is the hope that they have discovered from hearing the gospel from Epaphrus (the one who preached to them and who brought the report back to Paul).
The part of this passage that challenges me is the part about the gospel bearing fruit. I desperately want the gospel to be fruitful in my life and I think that it is. However, my heart yearns to see the Church of Christ in this area of the world be fruitful. I don't mean that no one is coming to Christ and maturing in faith in Southern Alberta but there are so many who have not yet heard the good news message of Jesus and who aren't likely to attend a worship service so are dependent on someone showing them Christ's love and telling them about the cross. I am not pointing fingers because I know that I am in the same boat as many of the church goers in this area. I think the problem is that, unlike the Colossians, we (I) have never truly understood God's grace. I think that because so many of us grew up in the culture of Christianity that we have become numb to our sinfulness and the great work of Christ to forgive our sin and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. I think we have taken for granted the fact that we are God's children even though we truly were his enemies. My fear is that the very fact that we take this for granted may be the evidence that we are not truly made new and made alive in Christ. If we are dead to this great grace, how can we be alive to anything?
Thursday, May 1, 2008
a great reputation
Colossians 1:1-2
Paul is the main writer (along with Timothy) of this letter to the church in Colossae. The letter starts in pretty much the same way that Paul begins all his letters: identifying the writer (Paul and Timothy) along with his authority (Paul - apostle of Christ; Timothy - brother), identifying the audience (the church in Colossae) and greeting them with grace and peace from God.
The description of the audience is what captures my attention in these verses: God's holy people, the faithful brothers and sisters. That is quite the commendation from Paul. I recognize, of course, that all who have placed their hope in Jesus Christ are declared holy by God and are therefore God's holy people but in conjuction with the commendation for being faithful, this has more than just the legal declaration of holiness - it gives the impression that the Colossian Christians hadn't just been made holy by God but that they were living holy lives.
I wonder if my life could be summed up in that way? Am I one of God's holy people? Would Paul be able to commend me as being a faithful brother? I mean, I work hard in the church but I also know what my private life is like and what my motivations often are. I want to be holy. Even more than Paul's commendation, would I be able to earn Christ's commendation: "well done, good and faithful servant." Pretty much the same thing (good=holy and faithful=faithful - brilliant, aren't I?) but so much more significant coming from Christ (I think I could possibly fool Paul but I know that I couldn't fool Jesus).
I also wonder if the fruit of my ministry indicates my own holiness and faithfulness. I know that I am not entirely responsible for the choices all my students will make but I also believe that at some level I have been entrusted to teach them well and to model holiness and faithfulness for them and if I am doing that well, I should see it in their lives. There are some of my students who are living holy and faithful lives but i really think that holiness and faithfulness are not much in fashion these days. I hope, by the grace of God, that my life can be a counter-cultural expample of holiness and faith.
Paul is the main writer (along with Timothy) of this letter to the church in Colossae. The letter starts in pretty much the same way that Paul begins all his letters: identifying the writer (Paul and Timothy) along with his authority (Paul - apostle of Christ; Timothy - brother), identifying the audience (the church in Colossae) and greeting them with grace and peace from God.
The description of the audience is what captures my attention in these verses: God's holy people, the faithful brothers and sisters. That is quite the commendation from Paul. I recognize, of course, that all who have placed their hope in Jesus Christ are declared holy by God and are therefore God's holy people but in conjuction with the commendation for being faithful, this has more than just the legal declaration of holiness - it gives the impression that the Colossian Christians hadn't just been made holy by God but that they were living holy lives.
I wonder if my life could be summed up in that way? Am I one of God's holy people? Would Paul be able to commend me as being a faithful brother? I mean, I work hard in the church but I also know what my private life is like and what my motivations often are. I want to be holy. Even more than Paul's commendation, would I be able to earn Christ's commendation: "well done, good and faithful servant." Pretty much the same thing (good=holy and faithful=faithful - brilliant, aren't I?) but so much more significant coming from Christ (I think I could possibly fool Paul but I know that I couldn't fool Jesus).
I also wonder if the fruit of my ministry indicates my own holiness and faithfulness. I know that I am not entirely responsible for the choices all my students will make but I also believe that at some level I have been entrusted to teach them well and to model holiness and faithfulness for them and if I am doing that well, I should see it in their lives. There are some of my students who are living holy and faithful lives but i really think that holiness and faithfulness are not much in fashion these days. I hope, by the grace of God, that my life can be a counter-cultural expample of holiness and faith.
Friday, September 21, 2007
rules for living in community
Romans 12:9-16
Observe:
This section is entirely made up of imperative commands. The key word is love since most of the other commands are about how to practically live out that love. There are some contrasting imperatives but they mostly serve to clarify each other.
Interpret:
Paul is explaining how to live in community. He just finished saying that we are all one in Christ even though we have different gifts. We should use those gifts for the good of the Body and, judging from the flow of the passage, the way we do that is in love that is active. He then tells the reader what active love looks like.
In light of the whole book, Paul would say that it was impossible to live this love out in community without faith (we are justified by faith and live by faith). This is consistent with the message of the whole Bible - yes, we bear responsibility to act out what we believe but it is impossible unless Christ is living in us through faith (John 15). If this is true, then Paul is really shaping the growth (or fruit) that one should see in Christian community by providing some parameters or markers for it.
Application:
If I don't see this kind of fruit in my life, it is evidence that I do not have Christ living through me in faith. I know that I try so hard to be perfect: the perfect youth pastor, the perfect husband, the perfect Christian, the perfect driver. Just yesterday, upon running into the back of the car in front of me, I got really frustrated and angry. I want to blame someone or something else (and, honestly, her tail lights were not working properly) so that I can maintain my perfect driving record. There is a car currently sitting in the parking lot with a bashed in hood to remind me that I am not perfect. Hopefully I can learn that lesson in my spiritual life as well: I need the life of Christ living in me to produce fruit. I can do nothing apart from him (I think there's a verse that says something about that...)
Observe:
This section is entirely made up of imperative commands. The key word is love since most of the other commands are about how to practically live out that love. There are some contrasting imperatives but they mostly serve to clarify each other.
Interpret:
Paul is explaining how to live in community. He just finished saying that we are all one in Christ even though we have different gifts. We should use those gifts for the good of the Body and, judging from the flow of the passage, the way we do that is in love that is active. He then tells the reader what active love looks like.
In light of the whole book, Paul would say that it was impossible to live this love out in community without faith (we are justified by faith and live by faith). This is consistent with the message of the whole Bible - yes, we bear responsibility to act out what we believe but it is impossible unless Christ is living in us through faith (John 15). If this is true, then Paul is really shaping the growth (or fruit) that one should see in Christian community by providing some parameters or markers for it.
Application:
If I don't see this kind of fruit in my life, it is evidence that I do not have Christ living through me in faith. I know that I try so hard to be perfect: the perfect youth pastor, the perfect husband, the perfect Christian, the perfect driver. Just yesterday, upon running into the back of the car in front of me, I got really frustrated and angry. I want to blame someone or something else (and, honestly, her tail lights were not working properly) so that I can maintain my perfect driving record. There is a car currently sitting in the parking lot with a bashed in hood to remind me that I am not perfect. Hopefully I can learn that lesson in my spiritual life as well: I need the life of Christ living in me to produce fruit. I can do nothing apart from him (I think there's a verse that says something about that...)
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